Do flounder fish change color to match background?

Yes, flounder fish are known for their ability to change color to match their surroundings. This adaptation is called camouflage and helps them blend in with the seabed, making them harder for predators to spot and easier to ambush prey.

Here's how it works:

* Specialized pigment cells: Flounders have special cells called chromatophores in their skin that contain pigments like melanin, carotenoids, and pteridines.

* Nervous system control: These cells are controlled by the flounder's nervous system, which receives information from the fish's eyes about the surrounding environment.

* Color change: When the nervous system detects a change in background color, it sends signals to the chromatophores, causing them to expand or contract, changing the distribution of pigments and the overall color of the fish's skin.

However, it's important to note that flounders don't change color instantaneously. It takes them some time to adjust to a new background, and the color change may not always be a perfect match.